24 local principals with Chicago Public School Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson and Ald. Sophia King (4th). Photo courtesy of United Way.

By TONIA HILL
Staff Writer

Hyde Park’s Target, 1346 E. 53rd St., is donating $24, 000 to local elementary and high schools within a two-mile radius of Hyde Park.

The announcement for the donations was made yesterday, Tuesday, March 28, at Target and featured guests included Ald. Sophia King (4th), Chicago Public School (CPS) Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson, representatives from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, 333 S. Wabash Ave., and principals from 24 elementary and high schools.

Each of the 24 schools will receive a $1,000 unrestricted grant meaning schools can use the funds how they see fit. Children’s First Fund, which is the district’s non-profit organization, will manage the funds. Principals who are recipients of the grants will not have to submit a Target grant proposal, said a spokeswoman from King’s office.

“These $1,000 unrestricted grants to neighboring schools, including six schools in the 4th Ward will serve to enable our students to have access to dire resources, programs and tools designed to help shape their paths to success,” King said in a written statement. “As Chicago Public Schools endures the current budgetary crisis, I am certain I speak for all principals, teachers, parents, students and community stakeholders, when I say thank you for this investment.”

Mark Walgamuth, relationship manager at United Way Metropolitan Chicago helped to facilitate the donation with Target. He said the idea came from Target store manager Clevitta Scott, who he said has looked for ways to engage with the local community since the store opened in October.

(Left to right) Mark Walgamuth, relationship manager at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Clevitta Scott, store manager at Target, Lauren Duncan, human resources director at Target, Bernard Boudreaux, director of corporate social responsibility at Target. –Photos courtesy of United Way

“They really wanted to engage with the local community so she got together with some of her staff, and they came up with giving back to the schools,” Walgamuth said. “Target historically has done a really great job of giving back to communities. They like to give back in a very local way and that’s why this is such a targeted gift.”

United Way has a partnership with Target and assists them on all of their philanthropic programs locally. Each of their local stores runs an employee giving campaign and they also make a corporate gift to United Way. United Way has also worked closely with schools in Hyde Park.